2015 Telstra Phonewords Stakes Betting Odds & Tips

The fourth of 10 races on the Cox Plate Day line-up at Moonee Valley Racecourse this Saturday sees the race formerly known as the Red Anchor Stakes – the Telstra Phonewords Stakes 2015 – take centre stage.

Due to jump at 2:25pm (AEST) there are 11 three-year-olds in the mix for this year’s $150,000 Group 3 Telstra Phonewords Stakes (1200m) with the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au, who are offering an Extra 50% on your very first Fixed Odds winner in Races 1 – 5 on Cox Plate Day, led by market mover Mawahibb.

Drawn in gate nine with Hugh Bowman in the saddle, this Team Hawkes-trained Magic Albert colt is looking to continue a nice record at Moonee Valley of a win and second from two previous runs including behind Keen Array here over the 1200m last time out.

He hasn’t raced in black-type company since a fourth behind subsequent Golden Slipper winner Vancouver in a Group 3 in Sydney back in January, but will be going forward and looking to go all-the-way from up front.

Four other runners are also under $10 for the win in the current Telstra Phonewords Stakes odds including the consistent John O’Shea-trained Commands colt Holler ($3.70) coming off a Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) second from last Saturday on Caulfield Cup Day and Ability ($5.50) for Robert Smerdon who ran third to Keen Array at the track and distance at the start of the month.

The other single figure hopes are Demonstrate ($7) in gate three and looking nice value after a third to Gold Symphony in the Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) in late August and the widely-drawn Ciaron Maher-trained Lonhro colt Brockhoff ($8.50) whose lead-up run was a Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) fifth at Flemington from September 12.

Can one of the single-figure fancies get the job done in the Red Anchor Stakes this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival or is there an upset on the cards from a roughie hope?

Coming off back-to-back seconds this Godolphin-raced son of Commands is nicely bred and in good form leading up to his first look around the Valley. He raced in Melbourne last time out and while is on a seven day back-up after crossing just a quarter-length away in black-type company on Caulfield Cup Day, he can improve and should get a perfect off-pace run from barrier six with the flying James McDonald, fresh off the Geelong Cup success on Wednesday, retaining the ride.

Tipping a Godolphin quinella for O’Shea who also trains New Approach gelding Demonstrate who is fresh here and well performed in Group company earlier this season. He’ll get things his way from barrier three and international hoop James Doyle is aboard. Moonee Valley holds no fears as the horse has finished top two including a 1000m win in early August from two starts at the track and will be flying off a freshen-up off a nice trial.

Race favourite and market mover who has to be included after his recent runs. Showing a liking for the Valley (2-1-1-0) including his second to Keen Array last time out, but was beaten 2.5 lengths so needs to be closer to win this. Distance suits (3-1-2-0) and Bowman aboard is a plus. Barrier nine is wide so will likely head to the front and set the pace, only needs to hold them off in the end to win for the punters.

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